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High salaries and the allure of a new working environment have often made people shout about their job-seeking prowess. Indeed, at times it would appear that hardly a day goes by without someone who works in your office proclaiming that they’re leaving for a better position elsewhere. Others with a somewhat sadistic streak have made use of the office grapevine to destabilise certain individuals by suggesting that the company is hiring new bodies to potentially threaten your own role.

Today, though, the working environment is changing. People don’t tend to tell their colleagues they are looking for a new job and, more often than not, you’ll find that someone in your own department is looking in the same place as you for a change of direction!

With employers facing what appears to be almost a starvation of talent, many managers realise that setting up competition for themselves is not the best of moves. Others realise that once word leaks out, the purveyor of that information will not be viewed as the most trusted soul in the company.

The best time to look for a new job is when you are already gainfully employed and, on that basis, there are several useful tips on how you can keep your job search as quiet as possible.

Browsing on the Internet

In these days of super-fast communication and high-tech wizardry, the Internet is undoubtedly the place to be. Specialist web sites abound, with names like ‘Jobs in Security’ or ‘Job for…’

Everyone in the industry – from IT security managers through to installers and consultants – can locate a web site dedicated to helping them find a job. That said, extreme caution is necessary. Before considering the addition of your own CV to an online database, first check to see if your employer is already posting jobs on that web site. If they are, the chances are that your immediate superiors will have access to all of the CVs posted on that site… including your own. That wouldn’t look too good!

Certain job advertisements do not disclose the name of the employer. If it’s the case that you cannot view details of a potential employer, you had better act with extreme caution. Of course, the advertised job function may be your own – some less scrupulous employers actually plan promotions without consulting employees, or they may have stumbled across your job hunting ‘secret’.

There’s little doubt that e-mail has hastened the job seeking process. Many employers adopt a policy that allows e-mail for personal use. That means you can e-mail your wife and tell her you are going to be late home this evening. You can also bombard half the planet with images of your new-born baby. However, that doesn’t mean your employer isn’t monitoring the e-mail traffic. On that basis, it’s always best to set yourself up with a private account (on Hotmail, for example) and use that. For additional security, choose an e-mail name with a mixture of letters and numbers rather than your real name.

Many of the online e-mail accounts available include functions like calendars so that you can track your applications, and then exercise reminder notices to follow-up on your search. You can also store the various versions of your CV – each of them tailored to the security roles for which you are applying – without taking up any space on your home or work PC.

Alongside e-mail, many job seekers use work time for actively surfing the Internet to find suitable vacancies. As with e-mail scanning, in today’s automated environment employers can identify that you’ve been looking, for how long and over what time frames. Remember that if you have access to large chunks of the organisation and its data or information – and as a security manager that will almost certainly be the case! – then once the truth is out you may be considered a security risk. Your employer will more-than-likely seek overt signs of your job search.

Certain job advertisements do not disclose the name of the employer. If it’s the case that you cannot view details of a potential employer, you had better act with extreme caution

Keep the process private

It is not unusual to write your direct line telephone number on an employment application form. Of itself this isn’t a major issue, but when you are running late for the office and the boss needs to listen to your messages, he or she will also pick up your invitation to attend a job interview... Use your answering machine at home. Most of them have built-in capabilities for remote access these days, so you can dial-in from the mobile.

Equally, job applications are a private matter. It is wholly inappropriate to use your employer’s time and resources (including the company’s postal service) to assist your job search. That would include taking time off for job seeking. Don’t feign sickness or otherwise claim to be somewhere else. Your future employer will not necessarily respect you for your dishonesty. Rescheduling interviews isn’t that difficult in any case (other than during the final stages of a senior appointment where executives could be called in to meet you).

Recently, I read a statistic claiming that 23% of all employers do not take up references. Of those who do, it is becoming increasingly more common for prospective employers to seek references from your current employer before a job offer is made. Make it clear that this is not acceptable, and offer an alternative solution.

When selecting that alternative, bear in mind that choosing a work colleague to act as a referee places them in an invidious position. The use of a former colleague who has recently left the company would be a far better option. It will also help your application if you provide references from people who know you in your current role, and who may act as an independent referee.

The Code of Ethics

The security industry is very fortunate in that it has recently seen the launch of a new Code of Practice for recruitment firms (‘Code of Ethics raises standards’, News Update, SMT, October 2005, p9). It must be stressed that not every employment agency has signed-up to this Code. In fact, some have refused to do so. It is for you to determine why not!

The Code – combined with membership of the relevant trade body, the most established being the REC – helps to ensure that if you use professional recruitment agencies then your search will remain confidential. However, it’s worth noting that, at some stage, the recruitment consultancy will need to disclose your name to prospective employers. From your current job role, it may well be obvious who you are!

Desperate to find key members of staff, certain employers may emulate the tactics of headhunters and call you directly. Unlike professional recruitment firms, these approaches are often shrouded in mystery. The only point of contact may be through your office. Remember that such approaches are not covered by any Code of Practice, and neither do they have a legislative framework governing actions that take place.

Looking for your next career move can be a hazardous process. Being indiscreet doubles the risk, so make sure you plan your actions carefully, keep your intentions to yourself and, when using outside organisations and avenues such as recruitment firms and web sites, only work with those you can trust.